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20 Foods You Can Make That Are A Waste Of Money To Buy


20 Foods You Can Make That Are A Waste Of Money To Buy


Not Worth The Price

There’s nothing fancy about overpaying for food you could’ve easily made yourself. Yet somehow, prepackaged basics still fly off the shelves. Over time, even the smallest purchases become routine splurges. If you’re planning to cut back, here are 20 familiar foods that just aren’t worth the extra bucks. Making them is a breeze.

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1. Sandwiches

Pre-made sandwiches often include low-quality fillings and wilted greens, sold at a premium markup. At home, freshness dominates with high-quality meats and custom spreads. Even upscale delis can’t guarantee better value than a five-minute sandwich using ingredients already in the fridge.

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2. Spaghetti And Meatballs

Mass-produced meatballs contain fillers such as breadcrumbs and extenders. Restaurants and meal kits charge steeply for this comfort classic, but the homemade version needs only pantry staples. A simple marinara simmers in under 30 minutes, and hand-shaped meatballs offer better texture.

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3. Chocolate Chip Cookies

There’s a reason bakeries keep these cookies under glass. It’s a high-margin item made from ingredients most pantries already stock. Homemade versions let you balance the chewiness-to-chocolatey ratio. Store-bought cookies skimp on butter and overload on preservatives for shelf life.

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4. Egg Muffins

The texture of a fresh egg muffin is incomparable to its frozen counterpart. What’s often sold as protein-packed and portable usually contains additives and stabilizers. Thankfully, mixing eggs and veggies into muffin tins takes under 10 minutes. They freeze well and reheat without compromise.

grilled patties with tomato toppingsKaitlyn Chow on Unsplash

5. Granola And Snack Bars

Granola bars were designed for hikers, but now they’re overpriced supermarket staples. Prepackaged versions include cane syrup and “natural flavors,” masking cheap oats and puffed rice. At home, these bars take less than an hour to bake and maintain their nutritional value without costing $1–$3 per bar.

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6. Chicken Tenders

Fast-food tenders use brines and coatings to hide dry meat. Many frozen versions list more than 20 ingredients. You can make it yourself with a quick buttermilk soak, seasoned flour, and high-heat baking preparation. You’ll get those golden tenders without additives. Use chicken thighs to reduce cost and enhance flavor.

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7. Salad

The average prepackaged salad costs 200–300% more than its homemade equivalent! Yes, that’s right. Such prices cover packaging as well as production. Moreover, pre-washed greens tend to degrade faster, often becoming slimy within a day. So, chop those fresh ingredients because it doesn’t take long. You can add grains or seeds to turn it into a full meal.

vegetable salad on white ceramic bowlTaylor Kiser on Unsplash

8. Macaroni And Cheese

Boxed versions rely heavily on dehydrated powders and artificial colorants. But you can take the homemade route around butter, milk, real cheese, and pasta. Even a basic béchamel sauce improves this classic. Making it from scratch will surely improve the taste and satisfaction with no sodium overload.

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9. Soups And Stews

Canned soup gives you convenience but at the expense of texture and flavor. Vegetables turn mushy, and broth turns metallic. Homemade soups, on the other hand, use stock instead of powder. A slow simmer extracts depth from bones and herbs. Stews, in particular, benefit from this and reward your patience with their rich taste.

File:3133Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup with Chayote and Potatoes 07.jpgJudgefloro on Wikimedia

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10. Pancake And Waffle Mixes

Pre-mixed batters are essentially flour, baking powder, salt, and powdered milk. That’s Pantry 101. Yet they’re sold at a steep markup, often with hydrogenated oils and anti-caking agents. Your fresh batter will yield fluffier results and accommodate custom add-ins like ricotta or lemon zest.

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11. Pre-Cut Fruit

You’re paying for the box and a shorter shelf life, not fresh fruits. The easiest thing you can make at home is a fruit mix. Buy some melons, apples, and mangoes. You can get about three times the volume for the same price. Cut them up, sprinkle your favorite seasoning, and voilà! Your fruit mix is ready.

File:Tropical Sliced fruit for sale.JPGMazroyce on Wikimedia

12. Burrito Bowls

Fast-casual chains charge upwards of $12 for rice and toppings that cost under $3 to make at home. These bowls are just layered. At home, prep time is short, and ingredients stay fresh longer. Plus, salt and oil levels aren’t preset by the kitchen line.

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13. Trail Mix Blends

Many pre-made trail mixes are padded with sugary bits: yogurt chips and even candy. Premium blends highlight the markup without improving quality. If you make your own, you can choose preferred nuts and adjust salt or sweet levels. It’s also cheaper to buy ingredients in bulk.

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14. Instant Oatmeal Packs

Each flavored packet contains mostly quick-cooking oats and powdered flavoring. That’s far from hearty. Regular rolled oats cook in under five minutes and allow for real fruit or nuts without the additives. Homemade oatmeal is also richer in fiber and lets the texture and flavor shine through naturally.

File:Quaker apples & cinnamon instant oatmeal 2.jpgMx. Granger on Wikimedia

15. Frozen Breakfast Burritos

Commercial versions rely on dense fillers and heavily processed meat. They often taste rubbery after microwaving. What’s the smart thing to do? Make them yourself in batches with fresh tortillas and real cheese. You can even reheat them later in a toaster oven or skillet.

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16. Rice Pilaf

Boxed pilaf includes all items already in most kitchens. The seasoning packets are typically heavy on sodium and artificial flavor. When you take matters into your own hands, you can do it faster and create far richer, more balanced results. Just toast rice in butter and simmer with broth and aromatics.

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17. Baked Potato Wedges

Frozen wedges come pre-fried and coated in stabilizers to maintain their crispness after thawing. But fresh russets, sliced and tossed in oil and seasoning, roast beautifully at high heat. It’ll be crisp outside, and creamy inside without the processed taste or freezer burn.

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18. Pizza

It’s high time we start talking about the pre-made and frozen pizzas that cut corners with dough and toppings. Homemade dough? It requires just four ingredients and minimal handling. Get your favorite cheese and veggies and go for high-heat baking. You don’t always need a pizza stone. A hot cast-iron or baking sheet is enough.

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19. Guacamole And Salsa

Packaged guacamole browns quickly and often includes citric acid or stabilizers. Salsa, too, is frequently overcooked or watery to extend its shelf life. On the other hand, fresh tomatoes, onions, lime, and avocado make a brighter product in minutes. What you need is a cutting board and a sharp knife.

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20. Hummus And Dips

Store-bought hummus relies on citric acid and neutral oils to extend shelf life. These additions mute the original, nutty character of tahini and chickpeas. With just a food processor and pantry staples, you can make it at home while tweaking the seasoning and ingredients to your liking.

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